Formula 1: Gabriel Batistuta awarded Charles Leclerc the prize for winning the pole in Monza

Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was the fastest in the standings this Saturday and will start from the pole position of the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday at the Monza circuit, ahead of Britain’s George Russell (Mercedes). Gabriel Batistuta was chosen by the Pirelli tire company to award the winning driver the trophy for setting the best time.

Dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull), reigning champion and provisional leader of the world championship, set the second best time but due to a penalty for changing the internal combustion engine he will start from 7th position. The second row will consist of the two McLarens, with British Lando Norris starting 3rd and Australian Daniel Ricciardo starting 4th. Behind, Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Alpine) and Frenchman Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) will try to resist Verstappen at the start.

This ranking was particular due to the numerous penalties due to modifications to engine parts or changes, beyond the limits authorized each season by the regulations. In addition to the Dutchman, eight other drivers are sanctioned, including teammate, Mexican Sergio Pérez, third in the world championship and who has lost ten positions, despite being the fourth fastest driver in the standings.

Leclerc will only be in danger, as his teammate, the Spaniard Carlos Sainz, will start from the back of the grid, despite having dominated the time trial and set the third time in qualifying, ahead of the Monegasque and Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)sixth in the championship and fifth in this ranking, he too will start from the last positions, having also changed several parts of his engine.

Batistuta played again and put it there: it couldn’t be otherwise

Goals are part of his DNA. This is not discussed. Although he retired several years ago (in 2005, when his physique said enough) and that his ankles have been complicating him for a long time (he had an operation in 2019), Gabriel Omar Batistuta does not forget the goal. There is no way. He is innate and has cleared it up again. The Argentine played a charity match in Italy and scored: it couldn’t be otherwise.

Bati was part of the Partita del Cuore 2022, a charity event, indeed a football match that takes place every year from 1992 to today. In this case, the venue for the meeting was the UpowerStadium in Monza, where Gabriel Omar wore the 9, put on his boots and nailed it. He played alongside Francesco Totti, his great companion in the 2000/2001 Rome champion.

Batistuta, who was on tour in other cities of Europe and also met Novak Djokovic, was part of the team called the National Singers. Dida the goalkeeper, Totti 10 and Bati 9. Gabriel and Francesco look for each other, as in the good old days with the Loba shirt, and tear down walls. Slower, of course, but with the same quality.

The target. the goal? Deep pass by Totti, who left Bati in front of the goal and the 9 did not fail: definition of a cross against Domenicali for the partial 2-1, in favor. Bravo the right of the Argentine, who was asked to celebrate with the machine gun. Gabriel folded throughout the first half and was only substituted in the 5 ‘of the ST.